New 110,000-square-foot facility builds on continued growth at Lawrence VenturePark and creates high-wage skilled trade jobs
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Sept. 15, 2026 — U.S. Engineering Metalworks today celebrated the expansion of its Lawrence operations with the opening of a new 110,000-square-foot production facility at Lawrence VenturePark. Through leasing this new facility, the company builds upon its rapid growth in Lawrence and creates additional manufacturing capacity to support complex projects across the country.
U.S. Engineering Metalworks opened its first Lawrence facility in 2022 and today employs approximately 160 people locally, exceeding the company’s original five-year employment projection. The new facility is expected to add approximately 30 positions in its first year and another 20 within three years.
The $25 million investment extends U.S. Engineering Metalworks’ footprint across Venture Park Drive, creating a campus designed to support continued growth. A study conducted by the City of Lawrence projects the expansion will generate more than $52 million in net benefits over 25 years for the City of Lawrence, Douglas County, USD 497 and the State of Kansas.
“We deeply appreciate the City of Lawrence, Douglas County, and the State of Kansas for their partnership,” said Tyler Nottberg, Chairman and CEO of U.S. Engineering Holdings. “Since the opening of U.S. Engineering Metalworks’ first facility here in 2022, Lawrence has become an essential part of its national operations. The work U.S. Engineering Metalworks Team Members deliver from this location supports projects across the country, including hospitals, research facilities, data centers, and major local commercial developments, such as Panasonic Energy in De Soto.”
U.S. Engineering Metalworks’ Lawrence operation fabricates piping, plumbing, sheet metal and other mechanical systems for large-scale projects nationwide, including data centers, health care campuses and research facilities. The expansion provides additional space and capacity to support the company’s growing fabrication operations.
“U.S. Engineering Metalworks’ expansion will have a significant impact on both the regional and state economies,” Kansas Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Joshua Jefferson said. “In addition to creating high-skill, high-wage job opportunities for Kansans, the company will further strengthen our state’s already robust advanced manufacturing sector.”
The project was approved through the City of Lawrence’s Catalyst Program, which supports job creation and economic development in the community. U.S. Engineering Metalworks currently employs approximately 140 production team members in Lawrence, with an average annual wage of more than $90,000, along with approximately 20 support staff.
“Our Lawrence team continues to set the standard for precision fabrication and collaboration,” said Kevin Sears, President of U.S. Engineering Metalworks. “This expansion allows us to grow our capabilities, create more opportunities for skilled tradespeople, and strengthen the supply chain for some of the nation’s largest and most complex building systems.”
Steve Kelly, Vice President of Economic Development for the Lawrence-Douglas County EDC, said the project demonstrates the strength of the partnership between U.S. Engineering Metalworks and the community.
“U.S. Engineering Metalworks has delivered exactly what the Catalyst Program was designed to achieve: good jobs, long-term investment, and national visibility for Lawrence’s workforce,” Kelly said. “Their continued growth shows that Lawrence is a place where companies can thrive.”
About U.S. Engineering
U.S. Engineering Holdings owns multiple independent subsidiary companies that provide mechanical contracting, consulting, service and fabrication solutions across the country in various complex commercial channels. Those subsidiaries include U.S. Engineering Construction, U.S. Engineering Innovations, U.S. Engineering Service and U.S. Engineering Metalworks.
